Belagavi: The Karnataka State Cabinet yesterday gave conditional nod for Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host international and IPL matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, subject to compliance with the safety and security requirements, said official sources.
The cabinet has recommended that KSCA must implement the recommendations of John Michael D’Cunha Commission which in its report had concluded that the “design and structure” of the ground was “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings.
The stampede took place during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration. The panel had recommended measures such as adequate gates for mass entry and exit, purpose-built queuing and circulation zones separated from public roads, emergency evacuation plans compliant with international safety norms and sufficient parking among others.
The cabinet has also decided to handover the responsibility of security at the stadium to Home Department headed by Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar.
The decision to allow the matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has come as a big relief for cricket administrators and fans. KSCA had not been permitted to hold matches following June 4 stampede during which 11 people had lost their lives and several others were injured.
It may be recalled that newly-elected KSCA office-bearers headed by KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar with a request to allow M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to hold matches agreeing to the conditions stipulated by the authorities.
Following this, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar had said that the Government had no intention of stopping cricket matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium but had mentioned about implementing Michael D’Cunha Commission suggestions in a phased manner.
